The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-21
MISS moLL1E GARFIELD.
Col Rockwell Doubtful as to the Existent
of the Brown Engagement.

of the Brown Engagement.
st. Paul Special
Probably no one occupies friendly rela-
tons the Garfield family than Col A. F.
Rockwell. the depot quartermaster IN this city.
and he was visited by Your correspondent to
learn the facts in the case. Time has dealt
generously with the man who was such close
friend and companion of the martyred Presl-
dent, and he does not seem day older than he
was during the period that he was snch a factor
at the White House, and certainly he has not
abated whit in his frank communicative
manner with representatives of the press.
1T is true" said the Colonel. that l am in
constant communication with Mrs. Garfield and
the members cf her family, but ND to the pres
ent time have not been informed to the ex-
istence of an engagement between Miss Mollie
and Mr. Brown. Still, such q state of affairs
might have existed, but as it was private mat
ter, and one in which the family alone was in
terested did not concern myself about It. l
have seen the story sent from Washington to
Chicago paper in regard TO this matter. in
which, among other Measurements, ir is de-
clared that DIR. Brown possessed certain
knowledge OF the inside history of Presi-
dent Garfeld's administration that he
exerting to compel Miss Mollies compliance
with mis- al ambitions. No such facts
exist. and from my knowledge of the Garfield
family am positive that no coercive measures
would be sanctioned by Mrs. Garfield or the
young lady in the case. /: seems 10 me to be a
most unfortunate condition of affairs that in
sists upon dragging the Garfield name into pub
licity and solely with desire to the
craving craving for sensations II is Miss Mols's own
to- or wants to be engaged to- and 1 do not
think any body has a right to question
her on the subject outside of her own family.
Ii she was engaged to Mr.. Brown. as the papers
trying to make out, am positive that
would have been notified the subject and
would have been afforded an opportunity to send
my congratulations
Incidentally the relations Of Colonel Rockwell
with President Garfield during his brief admin
lstration came up, and, speaking of the early
days at Mentor. the Colonel said
just after Mr.. Garfield was elected Presi-
dent. we were sitting on the piazza of his house
at Mentor, and remarked 20 him: General, in
my opinion the most disinterested friends that
you can have about you now are those who are
the least interested. Fo- myself shall never of
my own accord breach the subject or appoint
ment TO you. but will content myself with giving
opinion of it. il asked of me. about any case
That rule | adhered to inf1exibly during my
tire intercourse with the President, although
doing just the opposite L had always
taken deep interest in every.
thing that concerned General Garfield and
family, and hope to continue a trne friend OF
theirs to the end. Hence am panied by these
reports in the newspapers that were always op-
posed to him. As for the question of the compe-
tency of Stanley Brown to be the private
tary OF the President of the United States, am
not prepared to give answer beyond the asser-
ton that he was faithful to the trust reposed in
him by my friend and was conscientious in the
discharge of his duties. With his matri-
monial intentions likewise I have nothing
further than to say that during my stay at
the White House. and subsequent relations with
the Garfield family, | never heard hint that
Mr.. Brown was counting Miss Molle. 1t is Mrs.
Garfeld's privilege to go whittier she likes. aid
her trip to Europe Is her own affair." and nobody
has right to question her concerning it. Ger
tainly should not feel it my privilege, although
one of her oldest friends, to take such liberty.
and no one else should a nd the same will apply
to Miss Mollie Garfield, most
.ovabie girl and dutiful daughter.
She would not contract any alliance
that not heartily approved by her mother
and the rest of her family, for their sad affection
has drawn them all close together by the bonds
of a common sorrow. On a business proposition
1 might be consulted by Mrs. Garfield to what
course she should pursue, but in a matter in
volving the future happiness of her daughter
she would be the only judge. and else
could or should interfere Besides. they would
not be asked. and hope we have heard the last
of this foolish sensational issue of misstate-
ments about estimable lady and her daugh-
ter"